Calling From Mexico

Calling to Mexico

• General Tips for Calling to Mexico from the US
• Instructions for Calling to Cities within Mexico
• Instructions for Calling to Cell Phones in Mexico

Making Calls while in Mexico

• General Tips for Making Phone Calls within Mexico
• Tips for Calling Internationally from Mexico

Making Calls while in Mexico

• Information About Mexico Telephone System
• Important Phone Numbers To Know if Traveling to Mexico
• Other Important Information to Know About Mexico
• Fun Facts About Mexico

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General Tips for Making Phone Calls within Mexico

Calling within Mexico is easy. You’ll just need to pay attention to area codes and to whether or not you are calling a cellular phone.

Mobile phone calls within Mexico

Unlike in some countries, mobile phones in Mexico do not have special cellular prefixes in place of area codes. They use the same area codes used by Mexican land lines, much like the system in the United States.
However, you do need to dial either 044 or 045 before dialing the area code and subscriber number. These codes allow you to call a local (044) or long-distance (045) cellular phone. e.g. For a local call to a cell phone in Oaxaca, dial 044-951-xxx-xxxx. For a long-distance call to a cell phone in Oaxaca, dial 045-951-xxx-xxxx.

Receiving calls from abroad

For international calls to Mexican land lines and cellular phones, simply dial the international access code (011 in the U.S.), the country code of 52, the area code, and the local subscriber number. There is no dialing difference for calls to land lines and cellular phones when calling internationally.

Other calls and numbers

For local calls to land lines in Mexico, simply dial 7-8-digit subscriber number.
Numbers beginning with 01-800 are toll-free in Mexico. Beware - foreign toll-free numbers are not free if you can them from Mexico.
Other toll-free special numbers are used for public services in Mexico:

Emergencies:

• 065 Emergencies of any kind

Services:

• 040 Domestic Directory Assistance
• 020 Domestic Operator Assistance
• 090 International Operator Assistance

Tips for Calling Internationally from Mexico

To make international calls from Mexico, first dial 00, the international calling access code used in the country. Then dial the country code for the country you need to reach (1 for the U.S. and Canada), followed by area code and local number.
Try to avoid making calls from your hotel room and from phone offices known as “casetas de teléfono.” Both can be expensive. Most public phones in Mexico now require cards known as “Ladatel cards.” They can be purchased in units of 20, 50, and 100 pesos. They are best used for local calls; the units go quickly when making long distance or international calls. For long distance or international calls, try to find a coin-operated phone and use a calling card.
Internet cafes are plentiful and usually affordable in urban Mexico. If you are staying in a large hotel, you may also find Internet service in its business center.